Gear Review
Good Stuff
By matt mayfield
Ranked #1316 - 3-Season Tents
June 17, 2009
It's a lil on the heavy side, but not really, considering what this thing is all about
There is generous headroom (more than footprint) thanks to the smart engineering of the two small orange poles and the C-Clips.
Pitchin' and strikin' is easy as pie- just set up once before you head anywhere. I'm diggin' the Twist-Clips and The hub system allows for a nice distribution of wind stress on the DAC poles, allowing the tent to hold up really well in higher wind. This system I believe also contributes to the condensation control.
I've had this tent in a couple rain situations. One was three days of non-stop rain with one solid hour of blinding down poor. I was camped next to a slope that fed ALOT of rain our way and did dig a very small trench around one side of it.
No leaks (tarp under floor). No condensation, either. At night with the rain, it would get muggy with my girlfriend and I in it, however, I just pulled back the sleeping bag, and could actually feel cool, clean air- so I believe the low-high vent system is smart and works really well.
A cool feature I liked is the inside-outside pockets. And the glow-n-dark zipper pull tabs glowed fairly bright all night on a night darker than a black steer's derrière.
So I really don't have any complaints, and actually LOVE this tent. And this is coming from a fella who avoided The North Face because I never took it serious with its wilderness chic business.
I think the company may spread itself a little too thin because of the chicness - some stuff is made poorly, some good. The Minibus 23 Is made GREAT.
View Details: The North Face Minibus 2 Tent 2-Person 3-Season
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- [fly] 40D 238T ripstop nylon with PU coating and silicone finish; [canopy] 40D 210T nylon; [mesh] no see um netting (20D polyester); [floor] 70D 210T nylon taffeta with PU coating and water-resistant finish
- Freestanding:
- yes
- Doors:
- 2
- Number of Vestibules:
- 2
- Poles:
- 4
- Pole Material:
- DAC Featherlite NSL
- Pole Attachment:
- clips
- Floor Space:
- 33.3 sq ft
- Floor Dimensions:
- 90.5 x 53 in
- Interior Height:
- 43 in
- Vestibule Space:
- 20 sq ft
- Packed Size:
- 24 x 7 in
- Seams:
- fully taped
- Ventilation:
- multiple vents
- Fast-pitch Option:
- yes
- Trail Weight:
- 5 lb 6 oz
- Recommended Use:
- camping, backpacking
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- lifetime
Change me.


